Biz Bits: Knock, knock, knocking on United's door

There are no deaf ears on the CHICO AIRPORT COMMISSION, which takes its charge of the Chico Municipal Airport and local air service very seriously.

The panel hears and feels the local pain of business and pleasure travelers who have problems getting out of Chico by air. Complaints range from number of flights serving Chico to delays because of San Francisco weather.

Travelers here can only get to San Francisco. Their only choice is a UNITED AIRLINES commuter service called UNITED EXPRESS. Here, United Express flights are provided via a contract with SKYWEST AIRLINES.

A frequent wish here is to land somewhere other than in San Francisco because of its airport congestion, frequent fog and bad weather. The Airport Commission knows those issues, which is why it was dead serious in penning a letter to the president of United Airlines, JEFFERY SMISEK in Chicago.

The hope was to start a conversation about a possible flight between Chico and Los Angeles, which has been identified by the community as a key destination.

The certified Jan. 11 letter talks about how important air service is to the community, and that San Francisco is a disappointment.

The letter actually invites Smisek to Chico for a discussion, but counters that officials would meet him anywhere, at his convenience.

The letter is signed by City Manager BRIAN NAKAMURA, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. owner KEN GROSSMAN, and CHRISTIAN FRIEDLAND, president of multimillion-dollar Internet retailer Build.com.

While it's been about a month, the city has heard nothing, Nakamura said last week.

The Airport Commission and others who have entered this discussion have been reluctant to make waves, knowing how tenuous Chico's one-airline status might be.

The last thing this community wants is for United to say, "OK, Bye."

Previous City Manager DAVE BURKLAND, and other predecessors, have talked to other airlines about serving Chico, but issues like the Sept. 11 attacks and the economy killed possibilities.

Then there's the issue of flying from Chico. Its biggest challenge, besides San Francisco, is Sacramento. The 90-minute drive to Sacramento is no big deal for most travelers, especially with the larger airport having better weather, good connections and international flights.

Are there answers?

Not yet, but airport officials are willing to walk down all roads, including talking to other airlines.

Redding is trying to talk to United as well, hoping to land a flight to Denver, according to the Redding Record-Searchlight.

City officials traveled to United offices in Chicago in September to make their case, but haven't heard back.

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BEVMO fans can rejoice — again.

The national liquor chain Beverages and More once again has Chico in its sights.

A Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license application hangs on the window of an East 20th Street retail slot.

BevMo has intentions to occupy the empty spot formerly held by Fashion Bug at 1937 E. 20th St., in the center anchored by Target.

BevMo had pursued a location on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, but dropped that.